Funding offered to vital food banks

Food banks are being invited to bid for a share of £120,000 Derbyshire County Council funding to support their work.

There are now 22 food banks in Derbyshire – three times as many as in 2012 – and figures for one busy town centre branch show a 171 per cent usage increase over the last two years.

The funding can be used for costs including management, administration and IT, premises, storage, transport and fuel.

Dave Allen, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said: “The rising cost of living and changes to benefits and unemployment mean more people are relying on food banks and we feel it is the right thing to do to support working people on low incomes and those in the most severe financial need.”

The council is also supporting appeals to encourage local people to volunteer and to donate food and has arranged for more than 40 of its libraries, offices and other council buildings to act as food donation points.

The closing date for applications is 14th November and funding will be allocated to successful applicants by the end of December.

Food banks which have not received an application pack should contact Sylvia Green at s.green@ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk or on 01629 592971.

Food banks can get help filling in their applications from their local CVS, which they can find at www.derbyshire.gov.uk.

For more information about local food banks visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/foodbanks.